Gillingham MD's "phase 2" reveal hints at more Priestfield summer additions – View | OneFootball

Gillingham's transfer business so far this off-season has been swift, decisive and, above all, positive. But the club might not be finished with its summer acquisitions just yet.

Recent comments from the club's managing director Joe Comper have revealed that there is a multi-phase approach to building a squad the club hopes can propel Gillingham into League One next season.

Phase 1 of that plan appears to have just concluded, and progress so far has been both rapid and significant.

Gillingham have made a strong start to the summer

In stark contrast to recent seasons under the club's previous ownership, when business was done late, picking up players who hadn't already been snapped up by other clubs, Gillingham hit the ground running from the end of last season.

The first big move was to part ways with head coach Stephen Clemence. One week later, the club brought in his replacement, first-team manager Mark Bonner. Then attention turned to addressing the deficiencies in the squad.

Gillingham's retained list was published, and the club made its first new signing of the summer, Crewe striker Elliott Nevitt, who turned down a new deal at Gresty Road to sign on the dotted line at Priestfield.

More signings quickly followed, as former AFC Wimbledon midfielder Armani Little, Accrington Stanley winger Jack Nolan and recently-released Huddersfield Town wide man Aaron Rowe all arrived at the club to bolster the team's creativity and firepower in forward areas.

Gillingham are entering ‘Phase 2’ of their summer rebuild

Now, following that four-signing salvo in late-May/early-June, the club is entering a new period, as Comper explained to fans in a recent post on X.

"The recruitment team have done brilliantly so far," Comper wrote.

"In EN, AL, JN and AR, we've added real quality."

He then referenced the club progressing into the next stage of their summer plan.

"Likely to quiet down for a few weeks as we move into phase 2 of our recruitment plan. Please continue to buy a ST or new shirt. Makes all the difference to us. We appreciate it."

So, what does “phase 2 of our recruitment plan” actually mean?

That it’s stated as part of a “recruitment plan” hints at the potential for more incoming transfers at Priestfield. But, while the club have already moved quickly to secure high-priority targets whose contracts were expiring in the summer, Gillingham’s recruitment team may now be looking at signings of other kinds during the summer window.

Gillingham could now be in the market for paid-for signings and loan additions

Now, as Gillingham moves into the summer transfer window, there could be a change in focus, with the club looking at targets that are still contracted at their current clubs.

These will require offers to be tabled, negotiations to be made and, if deals between clubs can be struck, personal terms need to be agreed. That’s a much lengthier process and, with the Gills potentially battling other teams for players’ signatures, targets may change along the way if identified players opt to sign elsewhere, or if approaches get turned down.

Gillingham may have to wait longer to secure key loan signings

Then there is the potential for loan acquisitions. These deals tend to be done later in the summer window, once managers across the league have a better idea of their squads, and which players would benefit from spells out on loan.

In that situation, conversations could be ongoing through the summer if specific players have already been identified, but the deals may not come to fruition until much later in the window. There’s also the potential for late-window conversations with clubs once their squads are settled and managers know who they’d be happy to loan out.

It’s during this time that the club’s director of football Kenny Jackett could prove instrumental, with his decades of experience across the EFL meaning Gillingham have a man with a packed contacts book to call upon. If there are any gaps in the squad that need filling, the hope would be that Jackett could identify a suitable loan option via his network of contacts across the league.

Jackett came in for criticism towards the end of last season after the club failed in two transfer windows to bring in the goalscoring power it needed to challenge for a play-off spot. But clearly, his work is paying off early this summer – and he may still have more significant contributions to make before the first league game of the season.

Gillingham’s swift business means they look stronger already

The club’s focus on their early-summer business means the squad Bonner has at his disposal already looks significantly better than the one that finished last season. But there may still be key areas where the new boss wants to see his squad strengthened.

And, with that early business already done, it seems likely that, rather than a raft of more additions, a few well-chosen signings could be all the club is looking for in the remaining period of the summer. Another full-back option, another holding midfielder and perhaps another striker could be potential areas the club could look to address before the start of the season.

But, with the bulk of the squad signed, sealed and ready to start pre-season, it gives Bonner and Gillingham the best chance to hit the ground running when the season gets underway on August 10.